Feedback on False Positives from Drug Testing, page 106

False Positives Forum

This forum is intended to help those who Do NOT Abuse Drugs. We do NOT support the illegal use of any substance. If you have experience with false positives, share your experience. What would you tell someone about drug testing and false positives? Please remember that we do not give medical or legal advice.

Subj: They took my two childrenDate: 11/1/2010 I use advair combivent and q-var for ashma and i was also takeing vicodine. I was tested by c.p.s and it came back positive for meth. The worker tested me again four days later and said my levels were still high and took my two children. When i told her that vicoden is a narcotice so of course i would be positive for that and that my inhalers would cause a false positive she told me there is no such thing as that and the vicodine wouldn’t show up as anything. Is she right?

Lori

AskDocWeb: When she tells you that there is no such thing as a false positive, she is contradicting the manufacturers of the urine drug tests. They admit that their tests do produce false positives and they usually publish that information on their websites. It might be helpful to find out which test was used so that you can go to the manufacturer’s website to read about the accuracy or error rate of their tests, maybe even print it out for her.

Subj: False positives from diabetes?Date: 11/3/2010Can diabetes cause a false postive for cocaine? If so how does it happen and what can be done to prove this?

Christian

AskDocWeb: It is not yet know why diabetes causes problems with urine drug screens but it does. False positives have been reported not just for cocaine but also for amphetamines, THC, ecstasy, meth and opiates (References 3, 15, 16, 20, and 21). A confirmation test (GC/MS) will eliminate these false positives.

Subj: Concerned about prenatal vitaminsDate: 11/5/2010 I have had a cold and knew I was about to take a Pre-employment urine drug test that will be sent to the lab. I’ve stayed away from any medication, even cough syrup, but was taking my wife’s old prenatal vitamins for a couple days to try and help kick it. I just took the test and am worried about getting a false positive now, should i be concerned?

Steve

AskDocWeb: We wouldn’t be concerned about prenatal vitamins. None of the multi-vitamins have been reported to cause any problems on urine drug tests. However, large doses of riboflavin (vitamin B2) has cause false positives for THC (References 3, 16, 18, and 21).

Subj: Positive for BenzodiazepineDate: 11/7/2010Hi, I had broken my foot back in June and have been receiving treatment for it. I was given vicodin, darvocet, percocet, medrol and the 3in 1 injection into the joint and soft tissue. I had finally been released to go bad to work but when given pre employment drug “urine” test. It came up positive for Benzodiazepine. Is it possible that any of the ingredients in these medicines had caused a false positive? I do NOT do drugs so I dont understand why I am failing the test. Please Help. Thank You.

Angie

AskDocWeb: It may have been the 3-in-1 injection they gave you but a GC/MS confirmation test would clear that up. That is, if you contest the results and demand a confirmation test. If you don’t contest the results then it is like admitting drug abuse.

Subj: Hair testDate: 11/10/2010I tested positive for cocaine “hair test” and have never done drugs. Had another test done 3 days later at another lab and came back negative. Could I have picked up the drug from another person? Employer agreed to re-test first hair sample only. Also afraid first hair sample might not be mine? Any thoughts? Thanks.

Thomas

AskDocWeb: If you came into contact with someone who uses cocaine, just a little dust may be enough to register on a test. Typically those doing the testing must follow a procedure that guarantees an unbroken chain of custody on sample. What makes you think the first sample might not be yours?

Subj: Positive for cocaineDate: 11/11/2010My son in law took a urine test and it came back positive for cocaine. He had his wisdom teeth pulled prior to the test and was taking amoxicillin and tylenol with codeine. I have read some articles that said amoxicillin can cause positive for cocaine. The army is wanting to discharge him for this. We are fighting it but need to know if it can cause the positive results. Thank you,

Ginger

AskDocWeb: There are several good references that report Amoxicillin causing a false positive for cocaine (References 13, 16, 18, 20, 21, 26, and 29). The only effective way that we know of to fight that would be a confirmation test using either a Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer (GC/MS) or high-performance liquid chromatography.

Subj: Starbucks energy drinksDate: 11/11/2010I have been drinking sttarbucks energy drinks in a can that contain 200% riboflavin 200% niacin 200% b6 and 100% b12 the drink is starbucks double shot energy+coffee with guarana ginseng and b vitimins could this be the reason why my drug tests are coming up positive for marijuana even though I have not been smoking marijuana?

Daniel

AskDocWeb: It might, high doses of riboflavin (vitamin B2) have been reported to show up as a false positive for THC (References 3, 16, 18, and 21).

Please note that there are also health concerns with using Ginseng and Guarana.

Subj: Tested positive for methDate: 11/11/2010My boyfriend used my albuteral inhaler, sudafed 24 hr, and 4 way nasal spray and tested positive for meth. he is in the army and they are trying to chapter him out. will these drugs cause a false positive?

Honey

AskDocWeb: Since the use of Combivent inhalers has shown up as false positives for meth in urine tests (Reference 19), it is possible that your Albuteral inhaler may have the same active ingredient.

Subj: BaclofenDate: 11/11/2010Hello, I am required to wear a drug patch and pee test twice a week. If I take baclofen will it show up either?

Aaron

AskDocWeb: Baclofen, a skeletal muscle relaxer, has not been reported to show up on urine drug screens. It is sold under the brand names Kemstro and Lioresal but is also available in generic.

Subj: Tested positive for benzos in laborDate: 11/12/2010Daughter tested positive for benzos when she went into labor. The only thing she took was cough/cold otc medicines. Could that have caused false positive? She may loose her 3 children over this. Please help.

Jeanette

AskDocWeb: We have no data on any OTC cold medicine that would cause a false positive for benzodiazepines but that does not rule the possibility. If it is a false positive then it is important to contest the results and get a confirmation test so that “drug abuse” does not become a part of her medical record.

Subj: Failed my UA for benzosDate: 11/12/2010 I have taken methadone for 10 yrs. on a small dose. Recently I failed my UA for benzos. I take 50-75 benedryl at night to sleep and at times take phenogan for neasua due to kidney stones. I was told in 2008 that the phenogan could cause the false positive for benzos but Im not sure if its just the benedryl or the combination with phenogan.

Douglas

AskDocWeb: Phenogan (Promethazine) has been noted to show up as a false positive for THC but not benzodiazepines. However, Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) has been reported to show up as false positives for Benzodiazepines, PCP, and Tricyclic Antidepressants 2-4 days after a single use. (Reference 45).

Subj: Result for methamphetamineDate: 11/12/2010 If a stat-swab oral test is performed and reports a positive result for methamphetamine, would you also expect to see a positive result for amphetamine?

Denise

AskDocWeb: A positive result for Amphetamine can also be interpreted as a positive test for methamphetamine. Amphetamine and methamphetamine are different by only one methyl group and many tests are not sensitive enough to tell the difference.

Subj: Stat-swab oral drug testDate: 11/13/2010 My husband took a stat-swab oral drug test for a pre-employment interview. It came back positive for methamphetamine and negative for everything else including amphetamines. He has never done meth in his life. We went right down and had a urine drug test done at our doctor’s office – both instant and one sent off to the lab. Both were negative for everything including methamphetamine. He is not on any medications or any decongestants etc. Can someone help me with any explanations? Thank you for your time.

Denise

AskDocWeb: The Stat-Swab” oral drug test appears to be new. We checked their website for a published error rate but the closest we could find to that was this statement: “The test provides only a qualitative, preliminary analytical result. A secondary analytical method must be used to obtain a confirmed result. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) is the preferred confirmatory method.”

Subj: ReferencesDate: 11/14/2010 I am interested in the source for the references mentioned in the article on false positives on drug tests caused by perscription drugs. Can you tell me where to find that in this website?

Subj: Positive for cocaineDate: 11/15/2010 I’ve taken two hair drug tests, and tested positive for cocaine both times. I’ve never touched cocaine, or any other drug, before. I took a seperate hair test 4 months ago and was clean. Right after that first hair test I started taking a small dose of Lorazepam. I’ve talked to the drug testing facility and numerous pharmacists who say Lorazepam would not cause a false positive for cocaine, only for benzos. Is there anyway it would be the Lorazepam?

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